In the Garden of Temptation: The Garden Series, Book 1

Honor - Adam Stanford, Earl of Ashworth, has always done the right thing. Desire - Lady Catherine Bourgeault, lonely and rejected, longs to experience passion, to love just once in her life. Treachery - The Baron Bourgeault: to what extremes will an obsessive, unstable man go to achieve his own dark ends? Seduction - In the face of a love that will not be denied, Adam and Catherine risk everything to be together.

Do You Want to Start a Scandal

On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library. Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan? Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall? Perhaps the butler did it. All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: It wasn't her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers' true identity, she'll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville - the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she's ever had the misfortune to embrace.

Simply Magic: Simply Quartet, Book 3

On a splendid August afternoon, Susanna Osbourne is introduced to the most handsome man she has ever seen...and instantly feels the icy chill of recognition. Peter Edgeworth, Viscount Whitleaf, is utterly charming - and seemingly unaware that they have met before. With his knowing smile and seductive gaze, Peter acts the rake; but he stirs something in Susanna she has never felt before, a yearning that both frightens and dazzles her.

The Wild One: The De Montforte Brothers

England, 1776: Lord Gareth de Montforte is known as an irresponsible rake with a heart of gold. When he takes a bullet for boldly thwarting a stagecoach robbery, he is stunned to discover that the beautiful young woman he has heroically rescued, Juliet Paige, is his deceased brother's American fiancée, accompanied by her infant daughter.

Kindle Customer Ursula Okerlund says:"The Wild One First Book of a great Series"

Intentions of the Earl

With no other means for an income, the impoverished Andrew Black, earl of Townson, makes an agreement that will put a definite end to his eight-year poverty streak. But in order to gain his fortune, he must do only one simple thing: ruin an innocent young lady's reputation enough to make her flee to America.

Noble Satyr: Roxton Family Saga, Book 1

1740s France and England. Abandoned to fend for herself at the court of Versailles, Antonia turns to her distant cousin, the all-powerful Duke of Roxton, to help her escape the attentions of a lecherous nobleman. Roxton is an unlikely savior - arrogant, promiscuous, and sinister. Antonia's unquestioning belief in him may just be his salvation, and her undoing.

Simply Unforgettable: The Simply Quartet, Book 1

Stranded together in a rustic country inn, Lucius Marshall, who is the Viscount Sinclair, and Frances Allard share a night of glorious, unforgettable passion. But Frances knows her place, and it is far from the privileged world of the sensual aristocrat. Due to begin her teaching position at Miss Martin's School in Bath, Frances must try to forget that one extraordinary night - and the man who touched her with such exquisite tenderness and abandon.

The Fairy Tale Bride: Once Upon a Wedding

Miranda Fenster was known as the Fairy Tale Miss during the one disastrous London season that convinced her she would never have a happily-ever-after. But when her brother's love match is thwarted by the impossibly proper Duke of Kerstone, Miranda sets off to convince the duke to champion her brother's cause for love. Unfortunately, he is too proper to consider love a suitable reason for marriage, and too proper not to marry Miranda when they find themselves compromised.

Miss Wonderful: Carsington Brothers, Book 1

War hero Alistair Carsington really really loves women, and his romantic impulses have landed him in nearly as much danger as the Battle of Waterloo. To avoid his usual temptations and perhaps even repay the friend who saved his life, he's exiled himself to a place far from civilization - Derbyshire - in winter! Fate laughs at his good intentions and drives him straight into conflict with Miss Mirabel Oldridge, his match in tenacity, intelligence, and deviousness - who also happens to be wildly irresistible.

The Duke and I

Simon Basset, the irresistible Duke of Hastings, has hatched a plan to keep himself free from the town's marriage-minded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to the lovely Daphne Bridgerton. After all, it isn't as if the brooding rogue has any real plans to marry - though there is something about the alluring Miss Bridgerton that sets Simon's heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphne, surely the clever debutante will attract some very worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.

A Gentleman Never Tells: The Wetherby Brides, Book 1

Benjamin Wetherby, Earl of Glastonbury and heir to the Marquessate of Eastleigh, has just received an urgent letter from home. His father is dying and he must return to England at once. Benjamin is a man bound by honor and duty, to both his country and his family. So, despite his reservations, he leaves his life in New York City behind so he may find a wife and assume his role as the Marquess of Eastleigh.

The Trouble with Honor

Desperate times call for daring measures as Honor Cabot, the eldest stepdaughter of the wealthy Earl of Beckington, awaits her family's ruin. Upon the earl's death she and her sisters stand to lose the luxury of their grand home - and their place on the pedestal of society - to their stepbrother and his social-climbing fiancée. Forced to act quickly, Honor makes a devil's bargain with the only rogue in London who can seduce her stepbrother's fiancée out of the Cabots' lives for good.

Not Quite a Lady: Carsington Brothers Series

Darius Carsington is a spectacularly attractive rake, who's all brains and brawn...and no heart; a man who's equally expert at bedding loose-moraled women and writing scholarly papers. He finds society's "perfect darlings" exceedingly boring. Then why is he so intrigued by the supposedly faultless Lady Charlotte Hayward? Darius senses a crack under her polished surface - and finding it is a challenge he can't resist.

An Inconvenient Ward: Inconvenient Trilogy, Book 1

Lord Michael Dunham is bored of society, bored of fickle women, but above all that, he is afraid. His father suffered from madness, and Michael is terrified that he will inherit the same affliction. He scrutinizes his every mood swing, his every expression, to see if he can detect any signs that he is developing the symptoms. It blights his life. He has determined that he will never marry, putting a wife through the same that his mother suffered, and he certainly will never have children. The disease will die with him.

Maggie Tuliver says:"A good story and even better listening experience"

Unlocked

A perpetual wallflower destined for spinsterhood, Lady Elaine Warren is resigned to her position in society. So when Evan Carlton, the powerful, popular Earl of Westfeld, singles her out upon his return to England, she knows what it means. Her former tormenter is up to his old tricks, and she's his intended victim. This time, though, the earl is going to discover that wallflowers can fight back. Evan has come to regret his cruel, callow past. At first, he only wants to make up for past wrongs.

Bargaining with a Rake: Whisper of Scandal, Book 1

For 11 years, Gillian Rutherford has dreamed of escaping her family's dark secret and living a normal life. Now, faced with an unwelcome marriage that will chain her to London and the secret slowly killing her, she's desperate to save herself and the sister she adores. Salvation comes in the form of an American shipping tycoon, and all she must do is seduce him into marrying her. But Gillian's scheme hits a snag when she makes a bargain with a notorious rake Alexander Trevelle, Lord Lionhurst.

Disorderly Lady

She tried to best him at his own game! Arabella Cullingham's latest flirtation leaves her blue-deviled when the handsome colonel leaves without saying good-bye. Her brother determines that a London Season is what his pretty sister needs to mend her broken heart. Enter the dashing Earl of Magdalen, a confirmed bachelor whose female acquaintances run to women of dubious reputation. They meet quite by accident and circumstances allow him to deduce she is a light-skirt!

Undone by the Duke: Secrets in Silk, Book 1

Reclusive designer Victoria Andrews hasn't gone outside in five years, though she yearns to escape the prison of her house. She designs sensual lingerie for the most exclusive dressmaker in London, although she has never known a man's touch.

The Heir: Windham Series, Book 1

Gayle Windham, earl of Westhaven, is the first legitimate son and heir to the duke of Moreland. To escape his father's inexorable pressure to marry, he decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London, where he finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his beautiful housekeeper. Anna Seaton is a beautiful, talented, educated woman, which is why it is so puzzling to Gayle Windham that she works as his housekeeper.

The Dangerous Gentleman

It was strictly business as Adrian Spence claimed the woman his brother desired. A hasty wedding, and Lilliana Dashell was his - sweet revenge on the father who disinherited him and the brother who let it happen. Their wedding night is a revelation as passionate, innocent Lilliana ignites fires Adrian tries desperately to deny. By day he is a stranger. By night he is the lover of her dreams, and she a shameless wanton in his arms. But Adrian is determined that no woman will ever possess him.

Come Away with Me

Being confronted on the beach by a sexy stranger wasn't part of Natalie Conner's plans for a peaceful morning taking photos. And why on earth would he think she's taking pictures of him, anyway? Who is he? One thing’s for sure, he’s hot, and incredibly romantic, feeding Natalie’s wounded soul.

Earls Just Want to Have Fun: Covent Garden Cubs Series # 1

Marlowe is a pickpocket, a housebreaker - and a better actress than any professional on the stage. She runs with the Covent Garden Cubs, a gang of thieves living in the slums of London's Seven Dials. It's a fierce life, and Marlowe has a hard outer shell. But when she's alone, she allows herself to think of a time before - a dimly remembered life when she was called Elizabeth.

The Viscount's Christmas Temptation: Dukes of War, Book 1

Certain individuals might consider Lady Amelia Pembroke a managing sort of female, but truly most people would be lost without her help. Why, the latest on-dit is that rakish Viscount Sheffield is canceling the fete of the year because he hasn't time for silly soirees. He doesn't need time - he needs her!

Silver Storm: The Raveneau Novels, Book 1

Dashing and dangerous Andre Raveneau is the Revolutionary War's most reckless privateer captain when Devon Lindsay stows away aboard his ship after her Connecticut town has been burned by the British. Raveneau sardonically agrees to deliver her to her childhood sweetheart in Virginia but doesn't count on his own potent attraction to the enchanting, courageous Devon. Through high adventure, swashbuckling sea battles, and the colorful history of America's revolution, the couple battles the fiery passion that binds them together.

Corlis Ciji Ware says:"Audible Version of "Silver Storm" is terrific!"

Publisher's Summary

When 17-year-old Lady Jillian Fitzgerald sneaks out to spy on a duel, she believes she is merely guilty of an indiscretion. But when the duel takes a deadly turn and Jillian becomes an unwilling passenger in the fleeing carriage of the infamous "Lord Wicked", she knows what began as a lark has become a disaster. One night of bad judgment and her life is changed forever.

Camden Smith owns DREAMFly Marketing, a full service marketing firm located in Southwest Florida. She regularly reviews books and is an avid reader as well as audible client. Favorite books are mysterious romances or those stories about personal growth.

and that says it all. She pauses in the middle of sentences not for dramatic effect but because she literally cannot read well. Her voice is high pitched - UGH! It's so bad go through an hour and that was it. i loved this series and wanted to hear books 3 and 4. Instead I'm demanding my money back and buying the books.

This is not quite a four star, but more than a three star effort. Wicklund crafts her plot so that the characters and story development are well paced. In the Garden of Disgrace infatuation is not seen as love and love is not a result of sex. Characters admit to emotional confusion and fear and a man falls in love with a woman and fights for her.

Jillian is a feisty heroine, whose need for self preservation makes her a strong willed woman who seems unwilling to accept that she has fears and unwilling to admit that having the ton turn its back on her cuts her deeply. But Wicklund sets her up that way so that during the latter part of the novel readers could truly understand her desire for independence and her need to be strong and to be accepted as she is.

Adrian is a hero you have to love. He simply does not give up on Jillian. His pursuit of her is admirable and well written. Each encounter with Jillian, even if it is frustrating, leaves him feeling more admiration for her. It becomes clear why he loves her and why she loves him. My greatest displeasure comes from the overly stubborn heroine who thankfully manages to win me over with her emotional honesty.

Tanya S. Bartlett was terrible and ruined the book. I can't believe that this performance passed the the editor.

The story is well written and the plot fresh. The love seens are sexy sweet. The characters are rounded and believable. The narration destroyed it. The mispronouncation of words and the rhythm and cadence are so off that I started to loose track of the story in frustration. The only way I could finish it was by turning up the speed to 1:5 . I would ask the author to have the story re-narrated as I think overall it would be worth the trouble.

I was not disappointed in te story, but in having to read it at the same time as I listened to it

What didn’t you like about Tanya S. Bartlett’s performance?

Ms Bartlett needs to learn how to read. She repeatedly made huge mistakes in words, which changed the meaning of a sentence. She pauses when there is no punctuation justifying it, and Fails to do so when there is. The only difference between characters voices is shrill to ear piercing shrill. The reading is stiff, and ncomfortable at times. I ultimately ended my torture and just read the book. I would be really upset if I had paid more than $1.99 for ths audio. I must assume there are directors, or at least someone who actually listens to the audio before releasing it, they did not do their jobs.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from In the Garden of Disgrace?

I would not have cut anything, as I believe an unabridged recording should be jut that. I do think they should have been a little more concerned about the integrity of the story though.

A narrator with a proper command of the English language and adequate reading skills

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending was a forgone conclusion, but the journey was made unnecessarily painful by the extreme shortcomings of the narrator.

Would you be willing to try another one of Tanya S. Bartlett’s performances?

Not in this lifetime unless (1) the title was free, and (2) I was in the mood to be entertained by a bit of word butchery and stumbling/stilted narration.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I am angry at having paid for this experience, but that anger derives from the inexcusably poor performance and not the book. I was looking forward to the book for a bit of pleasant diversion, but my focus kept getting diverted to trying to suss out mangled pronunciations so as not to lose too much of the thread of the storyline.

Any additional comments?

The story is a worthwhile READ, especially if you are into this genre and have enjoyed the other books in this series. This particular title, however, is better read as hardcopy or as an ebook. I am reading book #4 in this series since it has the same narrator as this book.

If you’ve listened to books by Cynthia Wicklund before, how does this one compare?

I loved Cynthia's book "In The Garden of Temptation". Great story, good narrator. So I know that this book is probably really a good read, but the narrator makes it impossible to enjoy. Sometimes I just have to get used to the quirkiness of the narrator and then I'm good with it and its enjoyable, but there's no chance of that with this book. A shame good writing is made to be so unenjoyable.

What didn’t you like about Tanya S. Bartlett’s performance?

She hesitates like she isn't sure of the next word. She isn't fluid in her reading. Her inflections are all wrong sometimes like she didn't realize where the sentence was going. She's super slow. I've listened to a ton of audio and this is one of the worst.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Frustration from listening to the narrator.

Any additional comments?

Like I said, this review is no reflection on the story or writing style. It's a shame they let this go all the way to the finished product with this narrator.

This book was spoiled for me by the dreadful narration. It was halting and full of mispronunciations - rather like a young child having to read to teacher. Tanya's voice is pleasant and the accent fits in with the setting of the book, but perhaps she needs to become more familiar with the book before recording. There's little or no attempt at characterisation. I have been a member of Audible for many years and have several hundred books, but this is easily the worst narration I have heard. Great shame.

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